WINE sommeliers to help your selection. Part of the Inn at Spanish Bay. 2700 17 Mile Drive, Pebble Beach. (831) 644-7997, pebblebeach. com SALINAS Amapola Kitchen & Wine Merchant The collection of international, domestic and local wines is put together by the owner, a sommelier. The restaurant has been lauded by locals for its exquisite plates. 32 W. Gabilan St., Salinas. (831) 262-0075, amapolakitchenandwine.com SOUTH COUNTY Chalone Vineyard With its own appellation, this rustic winery is set high above the Salinas Valley, affording views of the Gabilan Mountains and the vineyards below. The high mineral content of the soil imparts long-lasting flavor to Burgundystyle varietals. 32020 Stonewall Canyon Road, Soledad. (707) 933-3235, chalonevineyard. com Crü Winery Immerse yourself in the Santa Lucia Highlands, one of the state’s famed appellations. Crü focuses on the Burgundy and Rhone varietals that flourish here. 37500 Foothill Road, Soledad. (831) 678-0300, cruwinery. com Hahn Estate See listing under Carmel. 37700 Foothill Road, Soledad, (831) 678-4555, hahnfamilywines. com Manzoni Estate Vineyard This is the kind of airy, sun-warmed tasting room that encourages you to linger. They grow their own Pinot and Syrah in the Santa Lucia Highlands. Tastings on weekends in the vineyard, daily in Carmel. 30981 River Road, Soledad. (831) 675-3398, manzoniwines.com Marin’s Vineyard and Tasting Room This family-run operation is really out there— deep in the San Antonio Valley AVA, with roots running through dark shale. They also avoid the typical county varietal, producing Syrah and Viognier. 67997 Jolon Road, Lockwood. (831) 905-2692, marinsvineyard.com Michaud Vineyard The vineyard turns out memorable Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that proves cellarworthy. Expect wines in the 90-point range. By appointment. Four miles northwest of Stonewall Canyon Road and Highway 146, Soledad. (831) 744-5143, michaudvineyard. com Odonata Perched on the western end of the River Road Wine Trail, the small family operation makes a range of single varietals and blends, including a Sangiovese, Santa Lucia Pinot and a GSM. 645 River Road, Salinas. (831) 566-5147, odonatawines.com Pessagno Winery The late, great Stephen Pessagno’s acclaimed, limited-production wines live on, as do the outstanding Four Boys Vineyard Pinot Noir and Intrinity Chardonnay, both grown in the Santa Lucia appellation. 1645 River Road, Salinas. (831) 675-9463, pessagnowines.com Puma Road See listing under Monterey. 32720 River Road, Gonzales. (831) 675-3548, pumaroad.com Rustiqué Wines The Silacci family-run winery is named after the beloved matriarch Rusti Silacci, who died in 2019. They specialize in Monterey County’s grape specialties: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. 1010 River Road, Salinas. (831) 320-8174, rustiquewines.com Scheid Family Vineyards See listing under Carmel. 1972 Hobson Ave., Greenfield. (831) 386-0316, scheidvineyards. com Taste of the Pinnacles This wine bar right in downtown Soledad brings together many of the wineries found elsewhere on this list, celebrating Salinas Valley grapes (alongside an assortment of draft beers). 148 Main St., Soledad. (831) 237-5321, tasteofthepinnacles.com Wrath Wines See listing under Carmel. 35801 Foothill Road, Soledad. (831) 678-2212, wrathwines.com WINE TOURS Behind the Scenes Wine Tours What is it like to walk the vineyards during growing season? What can you learn from a barrel tasting? The company offers packages that can answer either or both. (831) 5964495, behindthesceneswinetours.com Carmel Valley Wine Tours A five-hour tour of Carmel Valley and its many red, white, pink and bubbling charms. A picnic lunch is included. There are different modes of transportation available, including a trolley. (831) 624-1700, toursmonterey.com Kombi Tours The tour vehicle is a 1970 VW Bus, so it’s for small groups. The tours last between four and five hours, with a boxed lunch provided. (831) 747-7441, kombitoursmonterey.com Monterey Guided Wine Tours Several different packages to choose from, with options you can add. Tours span the Monterey Peninsula and Carmel Valley. And there’s a walking tour of Carmel’s many tasting rooms. (831) 920-2792, montereyguidedwinetours.com 118 The Best of Monterey Bay ® 2023-2024 Winery Tasting Room Soledad Foothill Road at River Road Open Friday to Monday Carmel Tasting Room Carmel Plaza Ocean and Mission Open Daily wrathwines.com “Top Ten Wineries” Along California’s Central Coast Decanter magazine Voted Monterey County’s BEST FISH & CHIPS Ten years in a row! Come In and See Why! Wharf #2 • Monterey 372-0581 LBPMonterey.com ’22 LBP_1-6v_VG23_gk.indd 1 6/15/23 10:56 AM
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